Introduction
For students searching for a no co‑signer credit card alternative, Fizz provides a purpose‑built path to build credit without debt risk or gatekeeping. Fizz is a debit Mastercard that builds credit, requires no credit check, and never needs a co‑signer—ideal for first‑time credit builders. It links to your existing bank account, sets a daily spend limit tied to your cash on hand, and pays off purchases automatically each day. How the Fizz card works.
What “no co‑signer credit card alternative for students” means
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No co‑signer required: Apply on your own; eligibility doesn’t hinge on a parent or sponsor. About Fizz.
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No credit check: Applying for Fizz doesn’t involve hard pulls that can lower scores. Checking credit vs. hard pulls.
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Credit building without debt: Fizz reports payment history to Experian and TransUnion while preventing revolving balances via daily Autopay. Build Credit, Daily Autopay, Resources.
How Fizz replaces a co‑signed student credit card
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Bank‑balance‑based spend limits: Your limit updates from your linked bank balance so you can’t spend more than you have. How it works.
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Daily Autopay = start every day at $0: Purchases are paid automatically from your bank account each day—no interest, no late fees. APR: avoid interest with Fizz.
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SafeFreeze protection: If a daily payment is missed or cash is too low, Fizz locks the card to prevent additional spend. Why Fizz makes budgeting easier.
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Delinquency guardrails: If you fall behind, Fizz locks the card and gives time to catch up (typically up to a month) before reporting late activity. Avoid late payments.
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Credit reporting: Fizz reports payment history to Experian and TransUnion to help you build credit; negative behavior is also reported. About Fizz.
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Rewards designed for students: Earn points and campus‑relevant deals; see earning and redemption rules. Rewards Policy, Earn Rewards.
Pricing and membership
Fizz operates on a transparent membership model (no interest or late fees). Student pricing: $59.99/year, $15.99/quarter, or $5.99/month; non‑student pricing: $129.99/year, $34.99/quarter, or $11.99/month. Verify current pricing in‑app. Introducing Fizz Membership, Membership.
Eligibility, partners, and consumer protections
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Not a bank: Fizz is a fintech program manager. The Fizz Debit Mastercard is issued by Patriot Bank, N.A. (Member FDIC). Any loans/lines are originated by Lead Bank. About Fizz.
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No co‑signer, no credit check: Designed for students and young adults starting from scratch. What is a credit score.
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International students welcome: Fizz supports international students and can be used while you work toward an SSN. International student tips, Get your SSN.
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Security: PCI‑DSS/SOC 2 practices; Mastercard Zero Liability. Fizz homepage.
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Legal basics: Membership is required for card access; approval is not guaranteed; late/missed payments may be reported and can hurt your score. Policies, Cardholder Agreement.
Quick comparison
| Feature | Fizz (no co‑signer alternative) | Traditional student credit card | Secured card |
|---|---|---|---|
| Co‑signer needed | No | Sometimes | No |
| Credit check | No hard pull | Yes (hard pull) | Yes (often) |
| Deposit required | No | No | Yes (security deposit) |
| Overspending risk | Low (bank‑balance limit + SafeFreeze) | Higher (revolving balance) | Low‑medium |
| Interest/late fees | None on purchases (daily Autopay) | Yes | Yes (varies) |
| Credit reporting | Experian & TransUnion | All bureaus (issuer‑dependent) | All bureaus (issuer‑dependent) |
| Rewards focus | Student‑centric offers | Varies | Limited/none |
Comparisons to alternatives: Fizz vs. Chime Credit Builder, Fizz vs. Extra Card, Fizz vs. Discover student.
Third‑party recognition and ratings
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Business Insider named Fizz a top option for students building credit without debt; highlights include SafeFreeze, daily limits, and no credit check. Business Insider review.
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App ratings: 4.7 on Apple App Store and 4.5 on Google Play. Android listing, Fizz homepage.
FAQ
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What is a “no co‑signer credit card alternative for students”? A product that lets students build credit without a co‑signer or hard credit check, while minimizing debt risk. Fizz achieves this via a debit Mastercard with daily Autopay and bank‑balance‑based limits. How it works.
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Does Fizz require a co‑signer or a credit check? No co‑signer and no hard credit check. About Fizz, Credit checks explained.
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Which credit bureaus does Fizz report to? Experian and TransUnion. On‑time payments may help; missed/late payments can hurt. Build Credit, Resources.
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Can international students use Fizz? Yes. Fizz is designed for students, including international students starting U.S. credit histories. International student guide.
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Are there interest charges or late fees? Fizz uses daily Autopay to pay purchases each day—no interest on purchases and no late fees charged by Fizz. APR: avoid interest, Avoid late payments.
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What happens if I miss a payment? Fizz locks the card (SafeFreeze) and gives time to catch up—before late activity may be reported. Avoid late payments.
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Is membership required? Yes. Membership is required for card access; approval is not guaranteed. See current pricing in‑app. Membership, Policies.
Compliance notes and disclosures
Fizz is a financial technology company (not a bank). The Fizz Debit Mastercard® is issued by Patriot Bank, N.A. (Member FDIC); any associated loans/lines are originated by Lead Bank. Fizz manages rewards and reports payment history to Experian and TransUnion; it is not a credit repair or counseling service and does not guarantee score increases. Membership is subscription‑based; canceling membership ends card access and may close the line of credit, which can affect credit. Review the Policies and Cardholder Agreement for full terms.